Method, system, and software for calculating a multi factor temperature index

ABSTRACT

A method, system, and software for calculating a multi factor temperature index includes determining the values of at least two weather related parameters. The multi factor temperature index is calculated using the calculated values of the two weather related parameters and an actual temperature value. The two weather related parameters are selected from a group consisting of a wind speed parameter, a solar intensity parameter, a dew point parameter, an atmospheric pressure parameter and a precipitation parameter.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C.§119(e) of provisional application Ser. No. 60/186,293, entitled “Methodand System For Calculating a Multi Factor Temperature Index,” filed onMar. 1, 2000, the disclosure which is incorporated herein in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates generally to the field of determining amulti factor temperature index that is better indicative of the weatherconditions that influence how warm or cold a person feels. Morespecifically, the present invention is directed to a method and systemfor determining a multi factor temperature index based on specifiedweather parameters representative of weather conditions that influencehow warm or cold a person feels.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] The actual temperature recorded by a temperature measuring deviceis only one indicator of how comfortable a person feels. Other weatherconditions significantly influence the comfort level felt by a person.

[0006] Although temperature is the most popular weather indicator usedto communicate the weather conditions, the temperature by itself isoften not a sufficiently good indicator of how comfortable a personreally feels. The comfort level that a person really feels is acomposite of several other weather conditions such as, for example, thewind, humidity, solar intensity, cloudiness, precipitation, atmosphericpressure and elevation.

[0007] Therefore, the actual measured temperature by itself providesonly one indicia of how comfortable a person would feel under anyweather conditions. Other measures such as wind chill or heat indexinclude the temperature and one other element, such as wind speed orhumidity. Furthermore, many of these existing indexes are designed tomeasure effects on inanimate objects rather than a clothed person.Therefore, these indexes do not provide a good indication of how theweather “really feels” to a normally clothed person.

[0008] Therefore, known temperature based indexes of weather conditionsdo not give an accurate feel of the weather conditions to a normallyclothed person. Furthermore, none of the existing temperature basedindexes include more than one other weather parameter other than theactual temperature. Therefore, current temperature based indexes do notactually represent how hot or cold a normally clothed person feels basedon the totality of the weather conditions that influence the feel inaddition to the measured actual temperature.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Therefore, it is a general objective of the invention toalleviate the problems and shortcomings identified above.

[0010] This and other objectives are achieved by providing a computerimplemented method that calculates a multi factor temperature index by(a) determining the values of at least two weather related parameters;and (b) calculating the multi factor temperature index using thedetermined values of the two weather related parameters and atemperature value.

[0011] In one aspect, the present invention provides that the twoweather related parameters are selected from a group consisting of awind speed parameter, a solar intensity parameter, a dew pointparameter, an atmospheric pressure parameter and a precipitationparameter.

[0012] In another aspect, the present invention provides determiningthree weather related parameters to calculate a multi factor temperatureindex based on the determined values of the three weather relatedparameters and a temperature value.

[0013] A further aspect of the present invention provides determiningfour weather related parameters and calculating the multi factortemperature index based on the four weather related parameters and atemperature value.

[0014] Another aspect of the present invention provides determining fiveweather related parameters and calculating the multi factor temperatureindex based on the five weather related parameters and a temperaturevalue

[0015] One aspect of the present invention provides that the three,four, and five weather related parameters are selected from a groupconsisting of a wind speed parameter, a solar intensity parameter, a dewpoint parameter, an atmospheric pressure parameter and a precipitationparameter.

[0016] Another aspect of the present invention provides that the weatherrelated parameters may be derived from either measured values, observedvalues, or forecasted values, or from a combination of measured,observed and forecasted values.

[0017] One important aspect of the present invention provides a computerimplemented method of calculating a multifactor temperature index thatincludes: determining the value of at least two weather relatedparameters; determining at least two ranges of a sunshine relatedparameter; and calculating a respective multifactor temperature indexvalue for each of the two ranges of the sunshine related parameter usingthe at least two weather related parameters.

[0018] In another aspect the present invention provides for calculatingthe multifactor temperature index for one of the two ranges of thesunshine related parameter uses an UV index related parameter.

[0019] In an additional aspect, the present invention also provides fordetermining at least two temperature related ranges before determiningthe at least two ranges of a sunshine related parameter for each of thetwo temperature related ranges, where calculating of the multifactortemperature indexes is done differently for each of the two ranges ofthe two temperature related ranges.

[0020] In another important aspect, the present invention provides acomputer readable data storage medium having program code recordedthereon for calculating a multi factor temperature index, the programcode including: a first program code that determines values of at leasttwo weather related parameters; and a second program code thatcalculates a multi factor temperature index using the determined valuesof the two weather related parameters and an actual temperature value.

[0021] In another important aspect, the present invention provides acomputer readable data storage medium having program code recordedthereon for calculating a multifactor temperature index, the programcode including: a first program code that determines values of at leasttwo weather related parameters; a second program code that determines atleast two ranges of a sunshine related parameter; and a third programcode that calculates a respective multifactor temperature index valuefor each of the two ranges of the sunshine related parameter using theat least two weather related parameters.

[0022] In another important aspect, the present invention provides asystem for calculating a multi factor temperature index, the systemincluding: means for determining values of at least two weather relatedparameters; and means for calculating the multi factor temperature indexusing the determined values of the two weather related parameters and anactual temperature value.

[0023] In a further important aspect, the present invention provides asystem for calculating a multi factor temperature index, the systemincluding: means for determining the values of at least two weatherrelated parameters; means for determining at least two ranges of asunshine related parameter; and means for calculating a respectivemultifactor temperature index value for each of the two ranges of thesunshine related parameter using the at least two weather relatedparameters.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in andconstitute a part of the specification, illustrate a presently preferredembodiment of the invention, and, together with the general descriptiongiven above and the detailed description of the preferred embodimentgiven below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0025]FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the components of a typical generalpurpose computer system connected to an electronic network that may beused to implement the present invention.

[0026]FIG. 2 is a flow diagram showing the steps of calculating a multifactor temperature index according to a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

[0027]FIG. 3 is a flow diagram showing the steps of calculating a multifactor temperature index in accordance with a second preferredembodiment of the present invention.

[0028]FIG. 4 shows a table used for calculating a precipitation relatedparameter according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

[0029] With reference to the figures, FIG. 1 is a diagram showing thecomponents of a general purpose electronic network 10, such as acomputer network. The computer network can be a public network, such asthe Internet. As shown in FIG. 1, the computer system 12 including acentral processing unit (CPU) 14 connected to a system memory 18. Thesystem memory 18 typically contains an operating system 16, a BIOSdriver 22, and application programs 20. In addition, the computer system12 contains input devices 24 such as a mouse or a keyboard 32, andoutput devices such as a printer 30 and a display monitor 28, Thecomputer system generally includes a communications interface 26, suchas an ethernet card, to communicate to the electronic network 10. Othercomputer systems 13 and 13A also connect to the electronic network 10which can be implemented as a Wide Area Network (WAN) or as aninternetwork such as the Internet.

[0030] One skilled in the art would recognize that the above describes atypical computer system connected to an electronic network. It should beappreciated that many other similar configurations are within theabilities of one skilled in the art and it is contemplated that all ofthese configurations could be used with the method of the presentinvention. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that it is within theabilities of one skilled in the art to program and configure a networkedcomputer system to implement the method steps of the present invention,discussed further herein with reference to FIGS. 2 or 3.

[0031] Furthermore, the present invention contemplates providingcomputer readable data storage means with program code recorded thereon(i.e., software) for implementing the method steps described furtherherein with respect to FIGS. 2 or 3 and that it is within.

[0032]FIG. 2 shows the steps of a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. In step 205, a measured actual temperature (T) is compared toa comparison temperature value of 65 and if the measured actualtemperature value is greater than or equal to 65, the method proceeds tostep 210 determine a second wind speed parameter. However, if themeasured actual temperature value (T° F.) is less than 65, then themethod proceeds to step 215 to determine a first wind speed parameter.It is to be understood, that the comparison temperature value of 65 instep 205 is a preferred comparison temperature value. That is, in step205, a comparison temperature is used to determine calculation of atleast two sets of values for weather parameters based on comparing theactual measured temperature to the comparison temperature value.

[0033] The present invention contemplates that that the comparisontemperature value could also be some other value such as, for example,60 or 70. Furthermore, the present invention also contemplates the useof more than one comparison temperature value in step 205. Therefore,two comparison temperature values can be used to determine calculatingthree sets of values for the weather parameters based on comparing theactual temperature to the two comparison temperature values. Likewise,the present invention also contemplates that more than two comparisontemperatures may be used in step 205 to determine calculating severaldifferent sets of values for the weather parameters. Furthermore, thepresent invention also contemplates that instead of a comparisontemperature, another weather parameter could be used as the basis todetermine calculating different sets of weather parameters to be used inthe determination of a multi factor temperature index corresponding totwo more ranges based on the another weather parameter.

[0034] In the preferred embodiment, the comparison temperature value of65° F. is used because the applicants' discovered that using that valueyielded specific values for the multi factor temperature index that fitwell with both heat balance equations and empirically induced values.Furthermore, 65° F. is also used as a pivot or base temperature forother weather related calculations, such as for calculating the heatingdegree days (HDD) or the cooling degree days (CDD). Each is calculatedbased on the departure of the average temperatures from 65° F.

[0035] Therefore, in step 210, the second wind speed parameter (WSP2) isdetermined by comparing the wind speed (W miles/hour) to a comparisonwind speed value of 4. If the wind speed (W) is less than 4, a derivedparameter (W_(A)) is calculated as (W/2+2). If the wind speed is greaterthan 56, the derived parameter(W_(A)) is set to 56. If the wind speed(W) is between 4 and 56, the derived parameter (W_(A)) is set equal tothe wind speed (W). In the preferred embodiment, an atmospheric pressureparameter, the measured atmospheric pressure in millibars (A mb) is alsoused to determine the second wind speed parameter (WSP2). Therefore, inthe preferred embodiment, the second wind speed parameter (WSP2) iscalculated according to the following formula:

WSP2=(80−T)*(0.566+0.25*sqrt(W _(A))−0.0166W _(A))*((sqrt(A/10))/10).

[0036] In step 220, a second solar intensity parameter (SI2) isdetermined. In the preferred embodiment, the second solar intensityparameter (SI2) is a measured value of the solar ultra violet energy inhectoJoules/meter². In alternate embodiments, the solar intensityparameter (SI2) may be determined from an ultra-violet index or even acombination of the ultra-violet index and a measured wind speed.

[0037] In step 230, a second humidity parameter (H2) is calculated. Adew point value (D° F.) and the wind speed (W) are used to calculate aderived dew point value (D_(A)). If the dew point value (D) is greaterthan or equal to (55+Sqrt(W)), then D_(A) is set to D, else D_(A) is setto (55+sqrt(W)). Thereafter, the second humidity parameter (H2) iscalculated according to the following formula: H2=(D_(A) −55−sqrt(W))²/30.

[0038] In step 240, a second precipitation related parameter (P2) iscalculated. In the preferred embodiment, the second precipitationrelated parameter (P2) is calculated based on the table shown in FIG. 4.The table discloses that, in the preferred embodiment, P2 can have avalue between 1 and 5 based on the type and intensity of theprecipitation as might that might measured, observed or forecasted.

[0039] One skilled in art, such as meteorologists or trained weatherobservers, would be able to determine the values of the precipitationrelated parameter by determining the type or intensity of theprecipitation weather conditions described, for example, in the tableshown in FIG. 4. Furthermore, most weather reports of precipitationnormally include both the type and intensity of the precipitation andvalues derived from these reports may be used in conjunction with theexemplary table shown in FIG. 4 to determine the precipitation relatedparameter.

[0040] Furthermore, it is to be understood, that the precipitationrelated parameters, discussed above, could also be determined based onthe minor modifications of the precipitation weather conditions as wellas the precipitation parameter values corresponding to the variousprecipitation weather conditions. That is, although the preferredembodiment envisions three categories of intensity (heavy, moderate, andlight) for a particular precipitation related weather condition, thepresent invention also contemplates that fewer or greater than threecategories could also be used. With greater than three categories ofintensity, it would be possible to better determine the effect ofprecipitation on how warm or cold the weather conditions actually feelwhereas use of fewer categories may result is a less accuraterepresentation of how warm or cold the weather conditions actually feel.

[0041] In step 250, the multi factor temperature index (MFT), accordingto the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is calculatedaccording to the following formula: MFT=80−WSP2+SI2+H2−P2.

[0042] It should be noted that the present invention also contemplatesthat the multi factor temperature index (MFT) can be calculated based onthe actual temperature (T) and two other weather parameters. Therefore,the MFT can also be calculated based on the temperature (T) and twoother weather related parameters, such as the second wind speedparameter (WSP2) and the second solar intensity parameter (SI2).Therefore, an alternative embodiment of the present invention providesthat the multi factor temperature index (MFT) can be calculated based onthe following formula: MFT=80−WSP2+SI2. It is also possible that themulti factor temperature index (MFT) is calculated as a function of thetemperature, the second wind speed parameter (WSP2) and one of thesecond solar intensity parameter (SI2) or the second humidityparameter(H2). In this context, it should be noted that the preferredembodiment of the second wind speed parameter (WSP2) is calculated basedon a measured value of both wind speed (W) and the atmospheric pressure(A). However, it is to be understood that in an alternative embodiment,the value of WSP2 can be determined based on the values of the windspeed (W) alone.

[0043] If the determination in step 205 was that the actual measuredtemperature was less than the comparison temperature (e.g. 65), themethod proceeds to step 215. In step 215, a first wind speed parameter(WSP1) is calculated. In the preferred embodiment, the first wind speedparameter (WSP1) is calculated according to the following formula:

WSP1=sqrt(W)*((sqrt(A/10))/10),

[0044] where W is the measured wind speed in miles per hour and A is themeasured atmospheric pressure in millibars.

[0045] In step 225, the first solar intensity parameter (SI1) iscalculated. In the preferred embodiment, the first solar intensityparameter (SI1) is calculated in the same manner as the second solarintensity parameter (SI2) discussed earlier herein.

[0046] In step 235, the first humidity parameter (H1) is calculated. Inthe preferred embodiment, the first humidity parameter is calculated inthe same manner as the second humidity parameter (H2) as discussedearlier herein.

[0047] In step 245, a first precipitation related parameter (P1) iscalculated. In the preferred embodiment, the first precipitation relatedparameter (P1) is calculated in the same manner as the secondprecipitation related parameter (P2) discussed earlier herein.

[0048] In step 255, the multi factor temperature index (MFT), accordingto a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is calculatedaccording to the following formula:

MFT=T−WSP1+SI1+H1−P1.

[0049] It should be noted that the present invention also contemplatesthat the multi factor temperature index (MFT) can be calculated based onthe actual temperature (T) and two other weather parameters. Therefore,the MFT can also be calculated based on the temperature (T) and twoother weather related parameters, such as the first wind speed parameter(WSP1) and the first solar intensity parameter (SI1). Accordingly, analternative embodiment of the present invention provides that the multifactor temperature index (MFT) can be calculated based on the followingformula: MFT=T−WSP1+H1. It is also possible that the multi factortemperature index (MFT) is calculated as a function of the temperature,the first wind speed parameter (WSP1) and one of the first solarintensity parameter (SI1) or the first humidity parameter(H1).

[0050]FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating another preferred embodiment ofthe present invention that calculates an actual or forecasted multifactor temperature index that has more than one value based on asunshine (or solar radiation) related parameter. For example, thisembodiment provides that one MFT index value is calculated thatapproximates a real feel of a person in a shaded environment whileanother MFT index value approximates a real feel of a person in a sunnyenvironment (that is, an environment in which a person is exposed tosolar radiation). Therefore, a pair of such values are even moreeffective in estimating how a person feels rather than a single valuesince each value of the pair may be more appropriate for a particularcircumstance (for example, being in the shade versus being under thesun).

[0051] It should also be understood that while the preferred embodimentdiscussed further herein contemplates two multi factor index valuesbased on a sunshine related parameter, the present invention alsocontemplates calculating different multi factor index values fordifferent ranges of other weather related parameters and that more thantwo ranges can be used for any of the weather related parameters.Specifically, while the preferred embodiment contemplates calculatingone value of the MFT index for shade and one value for sun, otherpreferred embodiments may calculate three or more values corresponding,for example, to shade, diffuse sunlight, and bright sunlight to betterapproximate the feel of the temperature to a person based on theenvironment of the person.

[0052] In the preferred embodiment, in step 305, if the temperature isgreater than or equal to a predetermined value such as 65° F., theprocess proceeds to steps 320 to determine a multi factor temperatureindex appropriate for a person for whom the direct reception of anyincoming solar radiation is blocked by non-meteorological objects, suchas buildings or trees. Thereafter, in step 325, a multi factortemperature index is calculated that is appropriate for a person who isnot blocked from direct reception of any incoming solar radiation. Apreferred embodiment of the determination of the multi factortemperature indexes in steps 320 and 325 are discussed next.

[0053] In step 320, the multifactor temperature index is determined inthe preferred embodiment based on the following formula:F_(SHADE)=T−sqrt(W)*A1+D1+P1, where T is the actual or forecastedambient temperature, W is the wind speed in miles/hour, andA1=sqrt(A/10)/10 with A being the atmospheric pressure (mb) not reducedto sea level.

[0054] D1 is calculated by using the following formulas:D=(DA−55−sqrt(W))²/30; DA=D if D>=(55+sqrt(W)) otherwiseDA=(55+sqrt(W)); where D is the dew point in ° F. P1 is calculated as avalue from 1 to 5 using a table as discussed earlier herein with respectto step 240 and the table shown in FIG. 4.

[0055] In step 325, the multifactor temperature index is determinedbased on the following formula: F_(SUN)=T−sqrt(W)*A1+S2+D1−P1. S2 iscalculated according to following formulas: S2=((26*sin(7.5U))/(sqrt(WB)*A1))*(2−T/90); U is the UV Index; WB is the wind speed inmiles/hour if W>=4 or 4 otherwise. Therefore, the present inventionprovides a pair of values for the multi factor temperature index,determined in steps 320 and 325, that provide a better feel for a persondepending on whether the person is the shade versus being directlyexposed to the sunlight.

[0056] In step 305, if the determination is made that the actual orforecasted temperature is less than 65° F., the process according to thepresent invention proceeds to step 310 to determine a multi factortemperature index that is appropriate for a person that is blocked fromdirect solar radiation (for example, in a shaded area). Thereafter, thepresent invention proceeds to step 315 to determine a multifactortemperature index in step 315 that more appropriately represents thefeel of a person that is exposed to solar radiation (for example, isoutdoors under the sun). A preferred embodiment of these multifactortemperature index determinations are discussed in the followingparagraphs.

[0057] In step 310, the multifactor temperature index is calculatedusing the following formula: F_(SHADE)=80−(80−T)*W1*A1+D1−P1 whereW1=0.566+0.25*sqrt(WA)−0.0166*WA; where WA=W (Wind Speed in Miles/hour)if W>=4, otherwise WA=(W/2)+2 with a maximum value of 56. The otherparameters are calculated in the same manner as discussed earlier withrespect to like parameters in steps 320 and 325.

[0058] In step 325, the multifactor temperature index is calculatedusing the following formula: F_(SUN)=80−(80−T)*W1*A1−S2+D1−P1 where theparameters are calculated in the same manner as discussed earlier withrespect to like parameters in steps 310, 320 and 325.

[0059] It is to be understood that the multi factor temperature index,according to the present invention, can also be calculated based onforecasted or observed values of the weather related parameters ratherthan values derived from measured values of the weather relatedparameters. Furthermore, the present invention also contemplates thatthe multi factor weather index can be calculated based on weatherrelated parameters derived from a combination of actually measured,observed or forecasted weather related parameter values.

[0060] Therefore, some of the advantages of the multi factor temperatureindex calculated according to the present invention is that it providesa better indication of how a normally clothed person feels based onweather conditions in addition to the feel based only on the actualtemperature. Therefore, the wind speed, sunshine or cloudiness, thehumidity, the precipitation, and the atmospheric pressure are allweather related factors which affect how warm or cold a normally clothedperson feels. The multi factor temperature index takes into accountthese additional weather related factors and, therefore, provides abetter indication to a person of how warm or cold the weather actuallyfeels. The second embodiment, discussed with reference to FIG. 3,provides more than one value of the multi factor temperature index tobetter reflect the feel under different conditions. Therefore, forexample, one value of the multi factor temperature index estimates thefeel of the weather to a person who is in a shaded area versus a personthat is exposed to sunlight.

[0061] Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art from a consideration of the specification and thepractice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that thespecification be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope andspirit of the invention also being indicated by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of calculating a multi-factortemperature index comprising: (a) determining values of at least twoweather related parameters; and (b) calculating the multi factortemperature index using the determined values of the two weather relatedparameters and an actual temperature value.
 2. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the two weather related parameters are selected from agroup consisting of a wind speed parameter, a solar intensity parameter,a dew point parameter, an atmospheric pressure parameter and aprecipitation parameter.
 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein thestep of calculating at least two weather related parameters includescalculating three weather related parameters.
 4. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the step of calculating at least two weather relatedparameters includes calculating four weather related parameters.
 5. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein the step of calculating at leasttwo weather related parameters includes calculating five weather relatedparameters.
 6. The method according to claim 3, wherein the threeweather related parameters are selected from a group consisting of awind speed parameter, a solar intensity parameter, a dew pointparameter, and atmospheric pressure parameter and a precipitationparameter.
 7. The method according to claim 4, wherein the four weatherrelated parameters are selected from a group consisting of a wind speedparameter, a solar intensity parameter, a dew point parameter, andatmospheric pressure parameter and a precipitation parameter.
 8. Themethod according to claim 5, wherein the five weather related parametersinclude a wind speed parameter, a solar intensity parameter, a dew pointparameter, an atmospheric pressure parameter and a precipitationparameter.
 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (a) includesmeasuring the weather related parameters.
 10. The method according toclaim 1, wherein step(a) includes forecasting the weather relatedparameters.
 11. The method according to claim 9, wherein step(a) furtherincludes deriving the values of the weather related parameters from themeasured weather related parameters.
 12. The method according to claim10, wherein step(a) further includes deriving the values of the weatherrelated parameters from the forecasted weather related parameters. 13.The method according to claim 1, wherein step(a) includes observing theweather related parameters
 14. The method according to claim 13, whereinstep(a) further includes deriving the values of the weather relatedparameters from the observed weather related parameters.
 15. A computerimplemented method of calculating a multifactor temperature indexcomprising: determining the value of at least two weather relatedparameters; determining at least two ranges of a sunshine relatedparameter; and calculating a respective multifactor temperature indexvalue for each of the two ranges of the sunshine related parameter usingthe at least two weather related parameters.
 16. The computerimplemented method of calculating a multifactor temperature indexaccording to claim 15, wherein calculating the multifactor temperatureindex for one of the two ranges uses an UV index related parameter. 17.The computer implemented method according to claim 15, furthercomprising determining at least two temperature related ranges beforedetermining the at least two ranges of a sunshine related parameter foreach of the two temperature related ranges, wherein calculating of themultifactor temperature indexes is done differently for each of the tworanges of the two temperature related ranges.
 18. A computer readabledata storage medium having program code recorded thereon for calculatinga multi factor temperature index, the program code comprising: a firstprogram code that determines values of at least two weather relatedparameters; and a second program code that calculates a multi factortemperature index using the determined values of the two weather relatedparameters and an actual temperature value.
 19. The computer readabledata storage medium according to claim 18, wherein the two weatherrelated parameters are selected from a group consisting of a wind speedparameter, a solar intensity parameter, a dew point parameter, anatmospheric pressure parameter and a precipitation parameter.
 20. Thecomputer readable data storage medium according to claim 18, wherein thefirst program code calculates three weather related parameters.
 21. Thecomputer readable data storage medium according to claim 18, wherein thefirst program code calculates four weather related parameters.
 22. Thecomputer readable data storage medium according to claims 18, whereinthe first program code calculates five weather related parameters. 23.The computer readable data storage medium according to claim 20, whereinthe three weather related parameters are selected from a groupconsisting of a wind speed parameter, a solar intensity parameter, a dewpoint parameter, and atmospheric pressure parameter and a precipitationparameter.
 24. The computer readable data storage medium according toclaim 21, wherein the four weather related parameters are selected froma group consisting of a wind speed parameter, a solar intensityparameter, a dew point parameter, an atmospheric pressure parameter anda precipitation parameter.
 25. The computer readable data storage mediumaccording to claim 22, wherein the five weather related parametersinclude a wind speed parameter, a solar intensity parameter, a dew pointparameter, an atmospheric pressure parameter and a precipitationparameter.
 26. The computer readable data storage medium according toclaim 18, wherein the first program code receives measured values of theweather related parameters.
 27. The computer readable data storagemedium according to claim 18, wherein the first program code includesprogram code for forecasting the weather related parameters.
 28. Thecomputer readable data storage medium according to claim 26, wherein thefirst program code includes program code that derives the values of theweather related parameters from the measured weather related parameters.29. The computer readable data storage medium according to claim 27wherein the first program code includes program code that derives thevalues of the weather related parameters from the forecasted weatherrelated parameters.
 30. The computer readable data storage mediumaccording to claim 18, wherein the first program code includes programcode for receiving observed weather related parameters.
 31. The computerreadable data storage medium according claim 30, wherein the firstprogram code further includes program code that derives the values ofthe weather related parameters from the observed weather relatedparameters.
 32. A computer readable data storage medium having programcode recorded thereon for calculating a multifactor temperature index,the program code comprising: a first program code that determines valuesof at least two weather related parameters; a second program code thatdetermines at least two ranges of a sunshine related parameter; and athird program code that calculates a respective multifactor temperatureindex value for each of the two ranges of the sunshine related parameterusing the at least two weather related parameters.
 33. A system forcalculating a multi factor temperature index, comprising: means fordetermining values of at least two weather related parameters; and meansfor calculating the multi factor temperature index using the determinedvalues of the two weather related parameters and an actual temperaturevalue.
 34. A system for calculating a multi factor temperature index,comprising: means for determining the values of at least two weatherrelated parameters; means for determining at least two ranges of asunshine related parameter; and means for calculating a respectivemultifactor temperature index value for each of the two ranges of thesunshine related parameter using the at least two weather relatedparameters.